VOL. 1/ISSUE 44 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 35 cents PALM CITY Gerard Somerville went to join his family in New Jersey on Monday evening after work. On Tuesday morning his wife, Irene, saw what everyone in America was looking at. She didnt hesitate to wake Gerard. I told him, You better come look at this, she said. Their life was permanently changed. The afternoon Somerville gave Sept. 11 in about a dozen years, he was a somewhat shy, but still a robust and friendly man. He spoke softly most of the time. His smile was broad, inviting, but his eyes haunting. When he started discussing the World Trade Center which he never calls Ground Zero his voice dipped, the cadence audibly slowed. His haunting eyes got history. At the top of a stairwell in his home is a room thats more a small memorial museum than interview. Its been 12 years since the ter rorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A child born on that day is start ing the seventh grade this year. One whod been in kindergarten that day is now a high-school senior. Four presidential elections have come and gone. And a day that shook America perhaps like no other since the War of 1812 seems to be slipping from the collective mind. But itll never recede from Somervilles. The 62-year-old was at the peak of his career with the Fire Depart ment City of New York. He was working the job hed dreamed about since his Irish-Catholic childhood in Brooklyn. With that dream job came incomprehensible responsibility. After the Twin Towers collapsed, he had people to lead even as they faced death and catastrophe on a scale none could have possibly trained for. Perhaps even imagined. Not even him. There was a need to go into command mode, Somerville said. As a wounded city reeled, fear very reasonable fear reared up. We were hearing rumors left and right, Somerville said. We didnt know if there was another attack coming. Fear and uncertainty were things the FDNY captain inti mately knew. Back in Somerville took a Never forgetting Patrick McCallisterFOR VETERAN VOICEpatrick.mccallister@yahoo.com Photo courtesy of Gerard Somerville Gerard Somerville stood with comrades by the last beam of the South Tower at the World Trade Center shortly before the Fire See SOMERVILLE page 4 SUBSCRIBERS:USPS has approved our Periodicals Permit. Veteran Voice should now be handled as First Class mail. If your copy is delayed, email us the date you received it and your zip code toinfo@veteranvoiceweekly.comThank you for your help on assuring the best delivery times possible.5483

VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 3 ST. LUCIE COUNTY New York native Al Hickey remem bers with stirring detail the day Earth was thrust off of its axis by forces much more sinister than a sonic boom. A Bronx homicide detective for the New York Police Department at the time, Hickey, 51, now a Port St. Lucie resident, heard the scanner chatter intensify sharply. A plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Cen ter. Even though we thought it was a small plane, our hearts (still) sank, Hickey said. The minutes and hours following the collapse of the Twin Towers were nothing short of a bloody crime scene ripped straight from the big screen, Hickey recalled. Everybody was just screaming, Hickey said. We thought we were at a full-out war. For nine months following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hickey said he spent much of his days combing through rubble at Ground Zero and Fresh where debris was delivered and searched for evidence. We sifted through every piece of debris, Hickey said. and shoes. We found so many shoes, Hickey trailed off. Hickey, who said the memories from 12 years ago are vividly etched in his mind, wants to en sure area residents never forget the events of that history-alter ing day. Hickey will share his story during a remembrance ceremony at Indian River State College and hosted by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. We have to live and we have to laugh. We cant let terrorists keep us from living, but we have to remain vigilant, Hickey said. scale ceremony held at the Events honor Americas darkest day Nicole RodriguezSTAFF WRITERnrodriguez@YourVoiceW eekly.com said the memories are vividly etched to ensure area residents never of that history-al Hickey will share remembrance ceremony at Indi an River State hosted by the Enforcement MoMitch Kloorfain chief photographer We sifted through every piece of debris, Hickey said. and shoes. We found so many shoes.See 9/11 page 6 Indian River Colony Club Indian River Colony Club Indian River Colony Club offers a unique and intimate setting for your event within our newly renovated Colony Hall. This venue features top quality dining, a chapel, a private bridal room, state of the art lighting and sound system, elaborate chandeliers, dance oor and much more! Call today for a tour! Robbie: 321-255-6050www.IndianRiverColonyClub.comI n dian Riv e r C o l ony Club 1936 F r eed o m D riv e V i e ra ( M e l bourn e), FL 32940(321) 255-6050Planning a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah or other large event? Bring your party or corporate meeting to Colony Hall! Seats up to 300 guests. Colony Hall 5509

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4 SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE Theodore Wilson Publisher Steve Erlanger Partner Tammy Raits Managing Editor Debbi Denning Kelly Delprete Patrick McCallister Nicole Rodriguez Shelley Koppel Mitch Kloorfain Eric Macon Phil Galdys Donna Marinak SUBSCRIBE TODAY $18 YEAR (52 weeks) (772) 204-2409 or contact us by email at: info@VeteranVoiceWeekly.comVeteran Voice is a newspaper for veterans, POSTAL STATEMENT Veteran Voice (USPS# 9749) is published weekly by Veteran Voice POSTMASTER: e Voice of Experience passed; he didnt hear anything back. Life moved on, and so did he. As 1977 was heading into the history books to the disco beat of Saturday Night Fever, he got a phone call. Somerville heard through the receiver. He asked questions. caller was impatient. man, you have to decide now, Somerville recalled hearing. Yes, Somerville responded. Yes. I cut my hair off, cut my beard, and went to class, Somerville said. On New Years Eve, he was sworn in, and quickly sent on calls without enough training in a tense city rife with violence. Routine calls sometimes become small riots. But he kept going back to work. By 1990, hed made lieutenant. along a lot of what hed learned the hard ways to a younger generation. I taught over 2,000 young men, Somerville said. That had a downside in 2001. I knew a lot of the guys that got killed, he said. men and a chaplain in the World Trade Center attack, along with two paramedics. That gave Amer ica the famous remembrance, 343. Irene thought, honestly thought, that the number might have been 344 as she watched her husband rush to a massive mayhem called New York City on Sept. 11. When we said Goodbye, I thought that might be it, she said. Somerville, too, had questions about his life expectancy that morning as he hurried to the massive scene of destruction. I kissed (my wife and children) goodbye, he said. I didnt know if I was coming back. Somerville doesnt remember exactly when he got to the Trade Center on Sept. 11. It wasnt a casual drive that day. He doesnt remember many details about the next few days. He once thought he got back home on Friday, Sept. 14. It turned out he got home Saturday. What he remembers in painfully dead for the next eight months. er fathers carrying sons whod followed in their footsteps from the massive wreckage. He remembers giving families police badges instead of family members. ment until Nov. 22, 2002. Medical complications related to Sept. 11 and its aftermath forced him out of the work he obviously loves. After that, a friend let Somerville use a condominium on Hutchinson Island to look for a home in Florida. He found a spot and moved the family to Palm City with one thing in mind. I saw this is the perfect place to be, he said. I can raise my kids here. His youngest is now 16. Somerville wants people to re member, really remember, Sept. 11. Oh, not for his sake. Im not into this pat yourself on the back, hero (expletive), he said. No, he said Sept. 11 showed him how much small acts of kind ness mean. Somerville said as he SOMERVILLE from page 1Photo courtesy of Gerard Somerville told Somerville about See SOMERVILLE page 8

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VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 5 Reverie is an interesting collection of 51 stories, each one by a different author. The writers include military personnel from all branches of the service, their wives (the authors words, not mine) and military brats, their children. The stories do not follow a theme or preconceived notion: in fact, they are alphabetical by author, so it really is a potpourri. This tends to make it a perfect bedside reader, as the reader doesnt have to remember characters or follow a plot. Each story stands on its own Reverie: True Military Stories Ph.D. Paperback 355 Pages Ted Wilson VETERAN VOICE PUBLISHERSee REVERIE page 8 Assisted Living Facility License #AL11796 10685 SW Stony Creek Way Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 www.BrennityTradition.comC | I L A L | M C The Brennity at Tradition is hosting a Patriots Day Rememberance Luncheon in honor of all those effected by the September 11, 2001 tragedy. Join us as we pay respect to the heros of our nation with New York inspired foods. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1111:30 A.M. 1:30 P.M. RSVP to (772) 345-2700I R S J P R N H 5528 4100 S.W. Leighton Farm Ave. Palm City, has these and other animals available for adoption Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm; Wednesday 10 am-7 pm and Sunday 10 am 4 pm. For more information, please call 772-223-8822 ext. 3242 or go to: www.hstc1.org to see all of our animals available for adoption. HUMANE SOCIETY Pet of the week The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast 5484Hi, my name is Wendy. Hear me roar..well maybe a yawn. At 3 years old and 8 lbs., I am a Domestic Long Hair affectionate puddy tat. When its time to settle down, lets Pure Wendy curl up, take a snooze Each and everyday I wish for that special someone to spend their loving time with me. Is that someone you? Perfect, I am an affectionate 4 yearold AmericanBull dog mix. I am a big boy weighing 83 lbs. with a wonderful temperament. I will need help with my medical treatment for heartworms, for which the shelter will pay. I wish to be your one and only. I will greet you with my favorite stuffed toy animal in my mouth The HSTC is offering to all seniors (60 years & older) that adopts a senior pet (animal 7 years & older) will have the adoption fee waived. Also, senior adopters that adopt a pet under 7 years of age will receive $25 off the adoption fee of a cat and $50 off the adoption fee of a dog. In addition to this program, all seniors can adopt any critter for $5.00!

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6 SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE college to commemorate the attacks. With the events of Sept. 11 a generation removed from todays col lege student, this event provides an excellent opportunity to remember Berry is the schools assistant dean of public service education. It will also serve as a solemn reminder to all who attend of the commitment and serve. The city of Port St. Lucie will also hold a remembrance service of its own at the civic center, where a permanent Sept. 11 memorial was erected last year. The ceremony, now in its fourth year, will honor the nearly 3,000 who died in the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Penn. It was all Americans that were attacked that day, city spokesman Ed Cunningham said of the importance of holding a local remem brance event. Event details: 9/11 Memorial Tribute at Indian River State College Doors open at 8 a.m. with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. Event focuses on Sept. 11 Remembrance Service 9/11 from page 3 5486 All furnishings were designed for this home and are negotiableFor more information and pictures go to:http://grf.me/f8GTeam Coley Real Estate GroupJason Coley/Realtor/CDPE 772-201-5229 Beautiful, custom designed 5 bd. 3.5 bth home, with library lo and oversized game room. Brazilian cherry wood, tile and carpet ooring, custom window treatments, granite, wrought iron railing, crown molding throughout. One of the most beautiful homes on the market and it comes with its own botanical garden-like landscaping Your Own Botanical Paradise and pool home in Vero Beach r f f 5515 Buy One Get One FREE!!Regular 18 Hole Golf Rate $45 everyday. Including cart w/G.P.S The Ultimate Golf ExperienceA Public Course with a Private Club Feel... FA CILITIES INCLUDE: V isit www.floridaclubgolf.com for Online Specials$6000Before 11:30 am$4500After 11:30 am $2000After 2:30 pm 038342 YV1 YV1 YV1 5521 Expires 9/13/13Range Balls Any Size visit: Stuart, Florida772-287-3680 15 Acre Driving Range All Grass Tees Banquet Facilities for All Occasions The Ultimate Golf ExperienceA Public Course with a Private Club Feel... FA CILITIES INCLUDE: V isit www.floridaclubgolf.com for Online Specials$6000Before 11:30 am$4500After 11:30 am $2000After 2:30 pm 038342 $3100Before 11:30amIncludes Cart with G.P.S.$2000After 11:30amIncludes Cart with G.P.S.Good for up to 4 playersExpires 9/13/13Good for up to 4 playersExpires 9/13/13 The Ultimate Golf ExperienceA Public Course with a Private Club Feel... FA CILITIES INCLUDE: V isit www.floridaclubgolf.com for Online Specials$6000Before 11:30 am$4500After 11:30 am $2000After 2:30 pm 038342

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VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 7 Few remember that its called Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance. But everyone knows what Sept. 11 is. Some will gather along the Trea sure Coast on the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., to remember the almost 3,000 known victims who died that day. Perhaps one of the most visible remembrance will be a lighted display planned for the Roosevelt Bridge Northwest Federal Highway, Stuart from sundown until about 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. USA 911 First Responders founder Dennis McKenna said the lights will especially honor those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center. You can drive through the two lights that represent the Twin Towers, he said. This is the second year for the lighted bridge display. McKen na said the lights will be at the center of the bridge on the road responders now living in the area Treasure Coast to remember Sept. 11 Patrick McCallisterFOR VETERAN VOICEpatrick.mccallister@yahoo.com Photo courtesy of LT Benjamin Addison See MEMORIALS page 9 7900 N.W. Selvitz Rd. $20 before 4pm $15 After SPECIAL SUMMER RA TESIncludes tax & cart 5497 Just a short drive from Palm City and Less than10 minutes from St. Lucie West & Tradition On-line Specials Available Daily at StJamesGolfClub.net Your Voice News Readers SPECIAL 4-SOME AFTER 10AM Tues, Thurs, Saturday & Sunday with coupon expires Sept. 30th $ 60 MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL 3 Months Free With Annual Membership First Timers Get 20% Off The First Year $25..Before Noon$20.....After Noon$15.......After 4 PM(All Rates Include Cart and Tax) FREE BUCKETOF RANGE BALLSW/ THIS COUPON Small Bucket Expires 9-13-131600 SOUTH 3RD ST., FORT PIERCEFor More information or to Schedule Your Tee TimeFrom US1, turn East on Ohio Ave., Directly behind TD BankCURRENT RATES5510 772-465-8110

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8 SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE and is complete in itself. Steinfeld says that these are the authors own stories in their own ed in the various tales that are told, with interesting variations in style, spelling and grammar. Such a collection could easily have been skewed toward one branch of the service, or toward action stories, feel good tales or sentimental recollections, which this anthology happily manages to avoid. Steinfeld provides a collection that en, their spouses and their progeny, while painting vivid pictures of their lives and making for good bedtime short stories. The stories in the collection run the gamut of emotions. Some are humorous, at least in retrospect, as in the case of Lt. Col. Les Merritt, who was with a company that wanted to go to Vietnam, and After a while complained to our higher headquarters that everyone else was going to Vietnam, except us. Finally they got the orders and were loaded for bear and ready to Finally arriving in Vietnam after of travel, they had to wait another night and day to meet with their got the bad news. As the Colonel put it, You are AWOL from your duty station in the states. Other stories tell of half-track and dog sled rides to school in Newfoundland, tracking Soviet missile tests, a shopping spree in East Germany before the wall fell, life in Korea and Japan, and a few harrowing escapes, such as one from a 125-foot Coast Guard cutter on a training cruise that is rammed by a loaded 550-foot coal freighter. Or of an Army second lieutenant in the infamous Nevada Test Site Area 52, who encounters the largest, maddest rattlesnake I had ever seen. Yet other stories are from those involved in historic events, such as the Normandy invasion from rather than the Army and Marine SAC planes during the height of the cold war; other planes that are equipped to deliver nuclear weapons, but have little to no chance of making it home; a NASA astronaut; a pilot of one of the planes bombs after the hydrogen bombs had been dropped on Japan, and many others of military personnel involved in some of the most memorable events of the past 75 years. As the introduction states, It was the book authors purpose to give honor to all those who have served and/or supported the military That it does, as well as providing some interesting stories in an unusual format. The difference in the stories ranging from WW II to the war in Afghanistan the nature of the wars themselves, the commitment of the country and of the types of enemies being fought against. Reverie highlights the similarity of military life in different times and places while also chronicling the changes in society and in warfare for the United States over roughly half a century. REVERIE from page 5waded through the morbid task of thing helped him through. We knew there were a lot of people who cared, he said. We knew a lot of people cared. In the four attacks that day, 2,977 victims died. In the North Tower at the World Trade Center, about 1,360 are believed to have died. The South Tower which was struck by a hijacked plane about 51 minutes later had about 630 deaths. The smaller death toll is attributed to people pre-emptively evacuating. Additionally, 147 victims died on the two hijacked planes. Attempts to match located human fragments to known dead continue. As Somerville left the World Trade Center when FDNY opera tions there closed, he picked up a name, Barbara Mohan, wasnt on fatality lists. Somerville hoped to I want to hand it to her and say, Here, you left this, he said. contacted Mohans former employer ville. Shed died years before the Sept. 11 attack. Why her badge was at the Twin Towers is a small mystery. The employer was un able to identify her family mem bers. The newspaper informed Somerpress. Somerville expressed gratitude for the newspapers help looking for Mohan. He may join other area Sept. display on the Roosevelt Bridge N.W. Federal Highway, Stuart from sundown until about 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11. This is the second year for the lighted bridge display sponsored by USA 911 First Responders. The lights will be at the center of the bridge on the road shoulder. The bridge has a blocked walk area for pedestrians. Parking is available at Flagler Park, 201 S.W. Flagler Ave., on the south ern end of the bridge over the St. Lucie River.SOMERVILLE from page 4 5546

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VETERAN VOICE THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 9 may be present to meet with the public. The bridge has a blocked walk area for pedestrians. Park ing is available at Flagler Park, 201 S.W. Flagler Ave., on the southern end of the bridge over the St. Lucie River. Additionally, USA 911 First Responders will have a memorial earlier in the day at Martin Coun ty High School, 2801 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart. Itll be in the auditorium. That memorial will be from 7 to 9 a.m. More about the USA 911 First Responders is at its website, usaAlso in Martin County, The Prayer House of the Treasure Coast will hold its Special 9/11 Prayer Day Tribute from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trinity United Meth odist Church, 2221 N.E. Savannah Road, Jensen Beach. For more about that event, call (772) 486-3230. In St. Lucie County, therell be a 9/11 Memorial Tribute at Indi an River State College hosted by the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Thatll be at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 at the Bailey Auditorium of the Frank and LeVan Fee Physical and High Liability Training Building at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex, 4600 Kirby Loop Road, Fort Pierce. That event will feature former responders Al Hickey and Steve photos from the World Trade Center. Among other events at the memorial, IRSC criminal will lay a wreath at the eternal public-safety workers killed in the terrorist attacks. At 9:30 a.m., therell be a sepa rate memorial at Veterans Me morial Park, 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. In Indian River County, the American Legion, Charles L. Futch Post 189, Sebastian, will have its annual Patriot Day Ob servance at 8:30 a.m. Thatll be at the Veterans Memorial in River view Park. The city park is at the corner of U.S. Highway 1 and Se bastian Boulevard in Sebastian. Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance is not to be confused with Patriots Day, a civic holiday in some states commemorating the battles of Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. In those states, its on the third Monday in April. Florida law encourages its recognition, but its not a public holiday in the Sunshine State. Patriot Day, which was later renamed Patriot Day and Na tional Day of Service and Re membrance, was created by a congressional joint resolution in 2001. President George W. Bush signed it into law in December that year. The resolution requests half staff, along with recognizing a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., on Sept. 11. MEMORIALS from page 7 Honor Flight, Saturday, Sept. 7 Martin County Administration Building, Stuart Part 1: Escort our Greatest Generation from Stuart to Palm Beach International Airport for their Flight to Washington, D.C. These men and women are being treated for the trip of a lifetime to see the memorials that were built to honor them. Please bring your 3 x 5 Amerthose who stood for us. Location: Martin County Administration Building. 2401 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. Staging: 0400 hours (4 a.m.) Busses will load: 0420 (4:20 a.m.) Depart for PBIA: 0430 (4:30 a.m.) Bikes will park on the lower level; arrivals park at the direction of sheriff. Cars will have to use the shortterm lot and pay. Flag line will form at upstairs departure area. Ride Captain: Joe Romanelli (561) 632-9103 Part Two: Sept. 7 Location: PBIA Staging: PBIA arrivals, lower level 1930 hours (7:30 PM) Parking is the same as in the morning Flag line to follow, Upper level 1945 hrs. (7:45PM) Flight arrival is scheduled for 2020 hours (8:20 PM) Ride Captain: Alan Outlaw Cole (561) 310-8920 Jim Nopockets Kamen Patriot Guard Riders Assistant State Captain (561) 748-5889 Honor Flight notice 5548